The Counter Ruck cover art

The Counter Ruck

The Counter Ruck

By: The Irish Times
Listen for free

Summary

A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley.


Produced in association with Ohk Energy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All rights reserved
Rugby
Episodes
  • How Connacht are proving a stark contrast to reeling Munster
    May 12 2026

    Did Connacht’s stability off the field manifest itself in their dominant victory over Munster, given the chaos engulfing their provincial rivals?


    What of a glut of refereeing decisions that prompted debate over the weekend, including Nathan Doak’s late concession of a penalty try in Belfast?


    After wins for Leinster, Connacht and a draw for Ulster, Did Connacht’s stability on the field manifest itself in their dominant victory over Munster, given the chaos engulfing their provincial rivals?


    What of a glut of refereeing decisions that prompted debate over the weekend, including Nathan Doak’s latest concession of a penalty try in Belfast?


    After wins for Leinster, Connacht and a draw for Ulster, Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy pick through the action and look at what each province needs to qualify for the top eight.


    Plus, Ireland women returned to winning ways thanks to a victory over Wales. and look at what each province needs to qualify for the top eight. Plus, Ireland women returned to winning ways thanks to a victory over Wales.


    Produced by John Casey.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Is rugby’s TMO process fair?
    May 8 2026

    Controversy surrounded the weekend’s Champions Cup action after a number of head contacts were supposedly missed by the officials.


    Was this genuine error, issues with TV directors or something else wrong with the process?


    Former referee Owen Doyle joins Nathan johns to assess the state of rugby officiating.


    Produced by John Casey.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Leinster reach a record ninth Champions Cup final
    May 5 2026

    Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s action.


    Leinster and Ulster are both heading to European finals but with varying degrees of positivity surrounding their performance.


    Do Leinster have enough to beat Bordeaux or does the nervy Toulon endgame leave them second favourite? What of Ulster’s chances against Montpellier after seeing off Exeter?


    Plus, the panel analyses Leo Cullen’s criticism of how the Irish press has been covering his team.


    Produced by John Casey.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet